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chronicacademia's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
sariereads's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Ableism
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
the premise of this was really good, but the execution fell a little flat for me. i don't know if it was the insta-lovey-ness of their relationship but i just needed more. at times, i felt like the story dragged and others it was going wayyy too fast. AND i really thought we would get away with out miscommunication because there were *multiple* opportunities for it but wesley actually had them communicate and then BAM right at the end it happened, and i was disappointed. also i will say, while i have seen this marketed as a sports romance (the MMC is a professional American football player), there is NO sports talk or anything about the actual sport on page - so if that's what you like, then pick this up! if you'd rather have some of the sport happening on-page, this isn't the book for that.
⚠️: bullying, toxic relationship (FMC & parents), addiction, emotional abuse, ableism, fire/fire injury
⚠️: bullying, toxic relationship (FMC & parents), addiction, emotional abuse, ableism, fire/fire injury
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Ableism, and Fire/Fire injury
amberinpieces's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol and Ableism
readlexread's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Oh, this was thee cutest!! I giggled and squealed so much — a good, feel good romcom. It also made me crave cupcakes, lol. I hope the author continues with this friend group.
Thoughts:
Thoughts:
- Glad I finally read this. It took me a little to get into it but that could be a function of my being quite sleepy and overwhelmed when I started it but once it took off, I really enjoyed it!
- Loved Jada’s best friend
- Donavan’s teammates/friends were great. Love that brotherhood.
- I appreciated how the author handled Jada’s dyslexia
- Her parents were kinda (actually a whole lot) awful
- Her grams is the best!
- And because it’s not always a given, I liked that they actually discussed things like adults and didn’t let miscommunication or issues fester.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor spoiler warning.
This book was a fun, easy, lighthearted read, which is exactly what I needed after a few darker books. It’s really a book that you should take a surface level to really enjoy and not think too hard about the details of how things (eg the cupcake shop) work, otherwise you may lose your immersion (eg if Nicholas is constantly baking cupcakes to restock, how does it work during the football season when he’s not there?).
The main characters were generally well-written and rounded and their relationship was cute. It was a very fast-paced relationship in a real-world context but I felt that wasn’t an issue in the context of the story (coming from someone who does not like instalove). The banter between the couple was also good and I loved the dyslexia representation! I think the side characters could’ve been fleshed out a little bit more, though.
I was really enjoying the storyline, even if it was a little ridiculous, up until the end. I didn’t like the fact there was a third-act break up, it didn’t seem necessary and the conflict and growth could have happened without it. The fact there was miscommunication just sprinkled in there as well made me like it less. Literally 10 pages or so before this happened, I had written a note saying that there were so many opportunities for miscommunication and/or a break up to be put in here and I’m loving the fact it hasn’t happened… then we got a break up with miscommunication… at 90% of the way through the book. This also meant the pacing of the ending was not great, it felt super rushed. One moment they’re broken up and next paragraph they’re basically back together. Also, did I miss something or did they just not explain how/why August went viral?
Overall, I enjoyed the middle part of this book, I thought it was fun, but it was let down a bit by the ending.
This book was a fun, easy, lighthearted read, which is exactly what I needed after a few darker books. It’s really a book that you should take a surface level to really enjoy and not think too hard about the details of how things (eg the cupcake shop) work, otherwise you may lose your immersion (eg if Nicholas is constantly baking cupcakes to restock, how does it work during the football season when he’s not there?).
The main characters were generally well-written and rounded and their relationship was cute. It was a very fast-paced relationship in a real-world context but I felt that wasn’t an issue in the context of the story (coming from someone who does not like instalove). The banter between the couple was also good and I loved the dyslexia representation! I think the side characters could’ve been fleshed out a little bit more, though.
I was really enjoying the storyline, even if it was a little ridiculous, up until the end. I didn’t like the fact there was a third-act break up, it didn’t seem necessary and the conflict and growth could have happened without it. The fact there was miscommunication just sprinkled in there as well made me like it less. Literally 10 pages or so before this happened, I had written a note saying that there were so many opportunities for miscommunication and/or a break up to be put in here and I’m loving the fact it hasn’t happened… then we got a break up with miscommunication… at 90% of the way through the book. This also meant the pacing of the ending was not great, it felt super rushed. One moment they’re broken up and next paragraph they’re basically back together. Also, did I miss something or did they just not explain how/why August went viral?
Overall, I enjoyed the middle part of this book, I thought it was fun, but it was let down a bit by the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Ableism
mandathebiblio's review
4.5
Listen. This. Flipping. Book. Holy crap. I loved this thing from the very beginning. It was exactly what I needed right now. My only complaint is getting into spoilers so I'll mark them in case you don't want to know about it. The issue I have is related to something that is in, like, every romance so it happening isn't a spoiler, really, but alas.
So, the big breakup at the end and then the subsequent make up really was... lackluster. It just felt so forced, honestly. They were so dang happy and they were supporting each other in a way that made their "reason" for the split really didn't make sense to me. Then the makeup happened and it all just felt very.... unnecessary. I can understand her reasoning but at the same time, I felt that it didn't really require it to be handled as it was.
But overall, even with that, I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice fun romance that also included just enough baking. We were left knowing who the next book will follow and I definitely want to pick that one up as well.
I listened to this on audio on 2x speed and I would say that was fine. 1.75 would have been as well, honestly. The narrator did a really good job in my opinion and the only reason I wouldn't give the audio 5 stars is because I wish there had been a separate narrator for each POV. I felt that would have just made this experience a full 5 star for me if that were the case.
But overall, even with that, I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice fun romance that also included just enough baking. We were left knowing who the next book will follow and I definitely want to pick that one up as well.
I listened to this on audio on 2x speed and I would say that was fine. 1.75 would have been as well, honestly. The narrator did a really good job in my opinion and the only reason I wouldn't give the audio 5 stars is because I wish there had been a separate narrator for each POV. I felt that would have just made this experience a full 5 star for me if that were the case.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Ableism
readingthroughinfinity's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was cute and light-hearted, but there was something missing for me, which I'm sad about because I'd been looking forward to it for months. I think it was a combination of the writing style and dialogue making me cringe at times and the lack of chemistry between the two leads, which meant I couldn't fully invest/believe in their romance. As a result, their fake dates and gradual realisation that they actually loved each other just didn't hit that sweet spot that most fake dating romances usually do for me.
Having said that, I did enjoy the baking, the initial 'enemies' vibes, and Jada's grandmother, who was a great character. I also liked the focus on Jada's dyslexia and the way her parents' ableism was challenged. There's a particular scene when Jada explains (live on television) that her dyslexia doesn't mean she can't read things, just that she may need a little more time and patience from people, which I thought was fantastic and so well worded. I also thought the use of social media and the online hate Jada receives felt (sadly) very realistic to real life.
But there were other things that felt like they'd been added to the story without much thought and they ended up needing more time spent on them. Donovan's football career, for example, is introduced early on but then never really developed. I also wanted to see Jada challenge her own financial privileges more, instead of just accepting that her grandmother's wealth could bail her out of most situations.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read, but sadly not a new favourite.
Having said that, I did enjoy the baking, the initial 'enemies' vibes, and Jada's grandmother, who was a great character. I also liked the focus on Jada's dyslexia and the way her parents' ableism was challenged. There's a particular scene when Jada explains (live on television) that her dyslexia doesn't mean she can't read things, just that she may need a little more time and patience from people, which I thought was fantastic and so well worded. I also thought the use of social media and the online hate Jada receives felt (sadly) very realistic to real life.
But there were other things that felt like they'd been added to the story without much thought and they ended up needing more time spent on them. Donovan's football career, for example, is introduced early on but then never really developed. I also wanted to see Jada challenge her own financial privileges more, instead of just accepting that her grandmother's wealth could bail her out of most situations.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read, but sadly not a new favourite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Sexual content
vaniavela's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A reality star and a cupcake-making soccer player pretend to be a couple to save their bakery.
Fake It Til You Bake It is a cute, lighthearted read. Even when the romance moves too fast for my taste, I enjoyed it.
The author's writing is really good. I could picture the desserts perfectly, and I was craving cupcakes non-stop while reading this book.
I love the fake dating trope. If I put aside how insta-love their romance was, I loved it. There is so much chemistry between them, even when they've known each other for a couple of days. They complement each other's personalities, full of flirting and banter. That being said, when they started saying "I love you" to each other after a week I cringed.
I found this charming, and the addition of deep themes like gambling addiction, social media harassment, and family relationships make this book better.
tw: Sexual content, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia.
Fake It Til You Bake It is a cute, lighthearted read. Even when the romance moves too fast for my taste, I enjoyed it.
The author's writing is really good. I could picture the desserts perfectly, and I was craving cupcakes non-stop while reading this book.
I love the fake dating trope. If I put aside how insta-love their romance was, I loved it. There is so much chemistry between them, even when they've known each other for a couple of days. They complement each other's personalities, full of flirting and banter. That being said, when they started saying "I love you" to each other after a week I cringed.
I found this charming, and the addition of deep themes like gambling addiction, social media harassment, and family relationships make this book better.
tw: Sexual content, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Ableism, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
churrosmom's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Such a fun, sweet, tension filled fake dating Black romance between Donovan, a pro football player who owns a struggling cupcake shop, and Jada, a rich young woman who social media made into a reality TV show villain. In a last minute bid to get access to her trust fund, Jada goes to work for Donovan at his cupcake shop. And in a moment of panic in response to paparazzi, Jada ropes Donovan into a fake relationship. There is great banter and chemistry, and unlike some other reviewers, I don't feel like it was insta-love. Insta-attraction, definitely, and the pace does move quickly, but I think that is pretty realistic for someone you have a strong attraction to and basically are spending 24/7 with working together.
Such a fun, sweet, tension filled fake dating Black romance between Donovan, a pro football player who owns a struggling cupcake shop, and Jada, a rich young woman who social media made into a reality TV show villain. In a last minute bid to get access to her trust fund, Jada goes to work for Donovan at his cupcake shop. And in a moment of panic in response to paparazzi, Jada ropes Donovan into a fake relationship. There is great banter and chemistry, and unlike some other reviewers, I don't feel like it was insta-love. Insta-attraction, definitely, and the pace does move quickly, but I think that is pretty realistic for someone you have a strong attraction to and basically are spending 24/7 with working together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Ableism, and Emotional abuse